Chris DeMakes: What the Less Than Jake Frontman Is Doing Now

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Episode Summary: 

In this insightful episode of the Powered By Rock podcast, host Isaac Kuhlman welcomes the legendary ska punk musician Chris DeMakes of Less Than Jake. The episode features an engaging conversation centered around Chris's upcoming guest museum tours at the Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas, taking place from February 13th to 15th. 

With a remarkable career spanning nearly four decades, Chris shares his journey from humble beginnings to becoming a prominent figure in the punk rock scene, alongside being a successful podcaster interviewing fellow musicians on songwriting.

Throughout the episode, Chris reflects on the impact of ska punk music, exploring how bands like Less Than Jake and others helped expand the genre beyond hardcore fans, introducing suburban kids and a broader audience to punk. 

The discussion touches on his experiences with the Punk Rock Museum, his approach to podcasting and the music industry's evolution. Chris also offers fascinating insights into his relationships with fellow musicians, what inspires him to keep creating music that resonates with fans, and how persistence and maintaining a positive attitude have played crucial roles in his enduring success.

Resources:

Join Chris for Guided Tours at the Punk Rock Museum (Feb 13-15, 2025) - https://www.thepunkrockmuseum.com/

Chris DeMakes a Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrDURREj4HiTCkAIC7AB71Q

Less Than Jake's UK Winter Circus Tour - https://myticket.co.uk/artists/less-than-jake

Key Takeaways:

*   Chris DeMakes will be offering guided tours at the Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas from February 13th to 15th, providing fans with an opportunity to connect with him and explore the rich history of punk rock.
*   Less Than Jake has successfully bridged the gap between hardcore punk fans and mainstream audiences, helping to broaden the appeal of ska punk music over the past 30 years.
*   The discussion highlights the importance of building a strong fan base and maintaining relationships with fans and peers in the music industry, underscoring the significance of humble beginnings and personal connections.
*   Chris DeMakes is passionate about songwriting, evident through his podcast where he breaks down iconic songs with fellow musicians each week, making songwriting accessible and engaging for listeners.
*   The music industry has evolved significantly since the 90s, with Chris emphasizing the need for bands to adapt to changes while staying true to their roots and maintaining a commitment to creating new music.

Notable Quotes: 

1.  "Chris DeMakes is a true legend in ska punk music, having sold out several tours, sold over a million albums with hundreds of millions of streams overall."
2.  "I've never dropped a hell or a damn or a shit or an F bomb on my show."
3.  "Sometimes I feel like I'm a dinosaur and I'm trying my best to catch up, and other times I feel like I'm way ahead of the curve."
4.  "I just try my best to fill my days with as much positivity as I can. There's enough negative."
5.  "We knew we were middle-class, suburban knucklehead kids that were trying to find our way too."

Timeline: 

0:00 Chris DeMakes Offers Guided Tours at the Punk Rock Museum
02:21 - Chris's teaser to a can't miss story that he will tell while doing tours at The Punk Rock Museum
02:45 - Chris's experience doing guided tours at The Punk Rock Museum
05:10 - How Chris and Less Than Jake went from Fat Wreck Rejects to Honored Peers
7:56 - Chris Talks About His Podcast "Chris DeMakes a Podcast"
11:34 - Why isn't Less Than Jake more political?
14:09 - How Less Than Jake helped bring punk and ska to the suburbs
18:53 - How has Less Than Jake remained popular and active all these years?
23:22 - Chris DeMakes talks about how great songs from top bands like Weezer and Blink-182 inspire nostalgic memories
25:00 - Does Chris DeMakes think Less Than Jake would have been more successful if they were from California or moved there early on?
26:47 - Chris DeMakes gives his recommendations for best bands from Florida
28:09 - Chris DeMakes gives a recommendation for a rising band that should be more famous 
29:04 - Chris DeMakes talks about how things have changed in the music industry since the 90's
30:45 - How does Less Than Jake go into recording these days, and discussing Uncharted
36:24 - Chris DeMakes's Mount Rushmore of musicians - his top 4 musicians of all time
37:41 - What Chris DeMakes has going on in 2026 - including new music with Less Than Jake